Compensation paid to Benfica, no to Portugal: Mourinho’s love for Real Madrid!

Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho could have taken charge of the Portugal national team, but he chose to return to the Madrid club instead.

TodayPress TV reports, citing AS, that the Portuguese Football Federation held talks with Mourinho several weeks before the 2026 World Cup about taking charge of the national team following Roberto Martínez’s departure.

While discussions between the two sides were ongoing, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez approached the experienced coach with an offer to return to the club. Mourinho, who had maintained contact with Pérez even after leaving the “Royal Club” in 2013, decided to accept the invitation. Real Madrid finalized the move by paying compensation to Benfica, where the Portuguese coach was working at the time.

The Portuguese Football Federation understood Mourinho’s decision and subsequently appointed Jorge Jesus as head coach of the national team.

It should be noted that back in 2012, while Mourinho was working at Real Madrid, the federation had also wanted to appoint him as national team coach on the condition that he hold both positions simultaneously. However, the club’s management rejected the idea.

Namiq HUN